Mehadrin Ltd.

Mehadrin Ltd. is an Israeli public company and one of the country's leading agricultural enterprises, specializing in the cultivation, processing, packaging, and marketing of citrus fruits, avocados, dates, and a range of other fresh produce. Founded in 1950 by a group of farmers and citrus growers, with backing from the Canadian Israel Central Bank and Discount Bank, the company has grown into Israel's largest grower and exporter of citrus, avocado, and dates. It is also a leading global supplier of the world-renowned JAFFA brand of citrus. Mehadrin operates over 4,000 hectares of agricultural holdings across Israel and other countries, maintaining a fully vertically integrated supply chain that spans growing, packing, export, and distribution in destination markets. The company reports annual sales of approximately $350 million, with more than 70% of its produce exported globally to all continents. Its fresh produce reaches many of Europe's top retail chains, and it has an extensive branch network across Europe, with logistics operations that transport goods by sea and air to the Far East and North America. In addition to its core agricultural activities, Mehadrin is involved in income-producing real estate and cold storage services. The company has been publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange since 1963. In August 2023, control of Mehadrin was acquired by Delek Group, controlled by businessman Yitzhak Tshuva, from Discount Investments. The company's headquarters are located in the 'Mivne' complex in Kibbutz Be'erot Yitzhak, Israel. Mehadrin's product portfolio includes avocados, citrus fruits (under the JAFFA brand), dates (Medjool, Barhi, and Deglet Noor varieties), potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables. The company emphasizes quality, customized ripening-controlled packaging, and sustainable practices, using recyclable materials where possible. Its values center on humility, respect, integrity, and a deep connection to agriculture. Despite its strong market position, Mehadrin has faced financial challenges in recent years, including a 20% revenue decline in the first half of 2024 and a loss of 47 million shekels during that period, compared to a profit of 24 million shekels in the same period the previous year. Leadership changes have also occurred, with Uri Loft serving as CEO from April 2023 to August 2024, followed by interim CEO TzalON Tzemach, the company's CFO. In May 2026, Moshe Arbel was appointed chairman of the board.

Mehadrin Ltd. was founded in 1950 by a group of farmers and citrus growers, with the participation of the Canadian Israel Central Bank and Discount Bank. Upon its establishment, the company leased approximately 22,000 dunams (about 2,200 hectares) of land from the Custodian of Absentee Property and the Jewish National Fund for a period of about 49 years, with an option to extend. These lands included 8,000 dunams in the Beit Dagan area, 1,000 dunams near Ramat HaKovesh, 1,500 dunams near Netanya, 2,000 dunams near Kfar Yona, 1,500 dunams near Kfar Hess, and additional land near Hadera. In its first year, the company prepared parts of these areas for planting orchards, while temporarily using them for vegetable and field crops. In its early years, Mehadrin worked to attract additional investors, partly with the help of the Economic Company for the Land of Israel, which distributed its shares in the United States. In 1954, the Economic Company acquired about 30% of the company's shares. In 1963, Mehadrin was listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and became a public company. During the 1980s, Mehadrin acquired the company Pri-Or, and the two merged. In 2007, Mehadrin filed a lawsuit against the Israel Land Administration after it demanded adding a clause to the lease conditions allowing it to terminate the lease early in the event of land re-zoning, in exchange for compensation. The controlling shareholder of the company is Delek Group, controlled by businessman Yitzhak Tshuva, which acquired control of Mehadrin from Discount Investments in August 2023. The company's main offices are located in the 'Mivne' complex in Kibbutz Be'erot Yitzhak. In 2020, the chairman of the board was Alejandro Gustavo Elsztain, and the CEO was Shaul Shelach. From April 2023 to August 2024, Uri Loft served as CEO. During his tenure, the company faced significant financial difficulties, including a 20% decline in revenues in the first half of 2024 and a loss of 47 million shekels in that period, compared to a profit of 24 million shekels in the same period the previous year. His tenure also occurred against the backdrop of ownership changes, as Delek Group acquired control of Mehadrin in August 2023 from Discount Investments. Loft's departure was explained as a mutual agreement between the parties, and no further details were provided. During his tenure, Loft enjoyed compensation terms including a gross monthly salary of 90,000 shekels, grants, and options, with the cost of his employment in 2023 totaling 2.1 million shekels. Upon the end of his term, TzalON Tzemach, the company's CFO, was appointed as acting CEO until a permanent replacement was found. On May 20, 2026, Moshe Arbel was appointed chairman of the company.

• 2026

  Moshe Arbel appointed chairman of the board on May 20.

• 2024

  CEO Uri Loft departs; CFO TzalON Tzemach appointed interim CEO.

• 2023

  Delek Group acquires control of Mehadrin from Discount Investments in August.

• 2007

  Mehadrin files lawsuit against Israel Land Administration over lease conditions.

• 1980

  Mehadrin acquires Pri-Or and merges with it.

• 1963

  Mehadrin listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, becoming a public company.

• 1954

  Economic Company for the Land of Israel acquires about 30% of Mehadrin's shares.

• 1950

  Mehadrin founded by a group of farmers and citrus growers, with backing from Canadian Israel Central Bank and Discount Bank.

Leading global grower and exporter of premium fresh produce, fully vertically integrated, trusted by top European retail chains.

• Avocado

  Grown as a superfood with high nutrient content.

• Citrus

  Wide range of citrus fruits, including JAFFA brand.

• Dates

  Medjool, Barhi, and Deglet Noor varieties in various package sizes.

• Potatoes

  Various varieties with different starch content.

• Sweet Potatoes

  Georgia Jet variety grown in Israel's climate.

• Carrots

  High-quality product in different varieties and sizes.

1. 1Mehadrin – Official Websitemehadrin.co.il
2. 2About – Mehadrinmehadrin.co.il
3. 3Our products – Mehadrinmehadrin.co.il
4. 4More products – Mehadrinmehadrin.co.il
5. 5Mehadrin Ltd. – Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6מהדרין (חברה) – Wikipedia (Hebrew)he.wikipedia.org